What to Ask Before Hiring an Accountant: 12 Questions for UK Small Businesses in 2026

By Richard | 26 August 2026

Choosing an accountant is not just about finding someone to prepare your annual accounts. The right adviser can help your limited company manage tax, improve cash flow, understand its numbers and make better growth decisions.

The wrong choice, however, can mean unclear fees, missed deadlines, slow replies and advice that does not match the way your business operates.

If you are searching for support in 2026, do not simply accept the first recommendation or the cheapest monthly price. Use the questions below to compare accountant services properly and find a professional who can support your company as it grows.

As a practical starting point, budget from £300 inc VAT for straightforward limited-company accounting support. The final cost will depend on your turnover, transaction volume, VAT position, payroll, bookkeeping requirements and the level of advice you need.

Before you speak to an accountant

Prepare a short summary of your business, including:

• Your company structure and trading activity

• Approximate turnover and expected growth

• Number of directors and employees

• Whether you are VAT registered

• The software you currently use

• Any immediate tax, cash-flow or compliance concerns

• The services you expect the accountant to provide

Ask every prospective accountant the same questions. This makes it much easier to compare accountants for small business on value, service and suitability rather than price alone.

1. Which qualifications and professional registrations do you hold?

The word “accountant” is not, by itself, proof of a particular qualification. Ask whether the person or firm holds qualifications such as ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA, AAT or another recognised professional credential.

You should also ask:

• Are you currently a member of a professional body?

• Do you hold a practising certificate if one is required for your work?

• Is the firm supervised for anti-money-laundering purposes?

• Can I verify your membership or practising status?

Qualifications are only one part of the decision, but they can indicate appropriate training, ethical requirements and professional oversight. Our guide to ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA and AAT qualifications explains the main differences.

2. Do you have experience with limited companies like mine?

A limited company has different responsibilities from a sole trader. Your accountant should understand company accounts, Corporation Tax, director remuneration, dividends, director loan accounts and Companies House filings.

Ask how many limited companies they currently support and whether they work with businesses at your stage of growth.

You may also want to ask about experience in your sector. A firm that regularly works with agencies, contractors, online retailers, construction businesses or professional services companies may understand the practical issues affecting your business more quickly.

Relevant experience can be especially valuable when you are:

• Employing your first members of staff

• Registering for VAT

• Taking on investment

• Paying dividends

• Buying equipment or premises

• Expanding into new markets

3. Which services are included in the standard fee?

Do not assume that “full accounts” includes everything your company needs. Ask for a written list of included services.

Depending on your requirements, these may include:

• Annual statutory accounts

• Corporation Tax return preparation

• Companies House filing support

• Bookkeeping

• VAT returns

• Payroll and pension administration

• Management accounts

• Cash-flow forecasting

• HMRC correspondence

• Tax planning meetings

• Support with director Self Assessment returns

Also ask what is excluded. Common exclusions may include complex tax advice, HMRC investigations, R&D claims, company restructuring, urgent work and historic bookkeeping corrections.

A clear scope of work prevents misunderstandings later.

4. How are your fees calculated, and are they VAT-inclusive?

Ask whether the accountant charges a fixed monthly fee, an annual fee, an hourly rate or a combination of these.

If the starting price is £300 inc VAT, confirm exactly what that figure covers. A low headline price may only include basic year-end accounts, with bookkeeping, VAT, payroll and advice charged separately.

Your quote should explain:

• The recurring fee

• Any one-off setup or onboarding charge

• Software licence costs

• VAT treatment

• Additional hourly or project rates

• How fees change as the business grows

• When fees are reviewed

• Payment dates and cancellation terms

When you compare accountant services, compare the total expected annual cost rather than the monthly figure alone.

5. Who will be my main contact?

Good communication matters when you are making financial decisions. Ask whether you will have a named accountant, an account manager or a general support inbox.

Clarify:

• Who handles routine questions?

• Who reviews and approves your accounts?

• What is the usual response time?

• Are phone calls or video meetings included?

• How often will you have a financial review?

• Is there additional support during filing periods?

A strong working relationship should feel accessible without requiring you to chase repeatedly for updates.

6. Which accounting software do you support, and how prepared are you for MTD?

Ask which software the accountant uses and supports, such as Xero, QuickBooks, Sage or FreeAgent. If you already use accounting software, find out whether the firm can work with it or expects you to migrate.

You should also ask:

• Is the software included in the fee?

• Will you have your own login and access to the records?

• How are bank feeds and receipts managed?

• Is the system compatible with Making Tax Digital for VAT?

• How will you prepare for future digital reporting changes?

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is being introduced in stages from 6 April 2026 for qualifying sole traders and landlords. It does not replace Corporation Tax reporting for limited companies, but a company director may have separate personal reporting responsibilities. Your accountant should be able to explain which digital obligations apply to your company and which relate to you personally.

7. How proactive are you with legal tax planning?

A compliance-only service may prepare your returns, but a growing company often needs more forward-looking advice.

Ask how the accountant can help you plan for:

• Director salary and dividend decisions

• Corporation Tax liabilities

• Pension contributions

• Capital allowances

• Business purchases and investment

• VAT registration and scheme choices

• Profit extraction

• Hiring and payroll costs

• Future funding or restructuring

The best advice should be legal, practical and based on your actual circumstances. Be cautious of anyone promising unrealistic tax savings or recommending arrangements they cannot explain clearly.

8. How will you manage my company’s deadlines?

Your accountant should explain which deadlines apply to your business and how they will help you meet them.

For many private limited companies:

• Annual accounts are generally due at Companies House nine months after the financial year end.

• Corporation Tax is generally due nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period.

• The Company Tax Return is generally due 12 months after the end of the accounting period.

You can check the relevant limited-company filing deadline guidance.

Ask:

• Will you send reminders?

• What information do you need from me, and by when?

• Who remains responsible for final approval?

• What happens if I provide records late?

• Are VAT and payroll deadlines included in your deadline management?

A good process should make responsibilities clear rather than suggesting that the accountant alone can prevent every delay.

9. How will you protect my financial data?

Your accountant will handle sensitive information, including bank details, payroll data, tax records and identification documents.

Ask whether they use:

• A secure client portal

• Multi-factor authentication

• Encrypted document sharing

• Controlled access for employees and subcontractors

• Secure backups

• A documented data-retention and deletion process

• A clear procedure for handling a data breach

Avoid sending highly sensitive documents through ordinary email unless the firm explains how they are protected.

10. Will any work be subcontracted?

Some firms use internal teams, overseas staff, freelance bookkeepers or specialist subcontractors. This is not automatically a problem, but you should understand who will access your records and who is accountable for the work.

Ask:

• Which tasks are completed by the named accountant?

• Are bookkeeping or payroll services subcontracted?

• Where are subcontractors based?

• Are they bound by confidentiality and data-protection obligations?

• Who reviews their work?

• Will I be told if the people handling my records change?

The engagement letter should accurately reflect the firm’s working arrangements.

11. What does onboarding involve?

A smooth onboarding process helps prevent missing records and duplicated work.

Ask what the accountant needs from you, such as:

• Previous accounts and tax returns

• Bank statements and bookkeeping records

• Details of directors and shareholders

• Payroll information

• VAT records

• HMRC correspondence

• Details of loans, assets and outstanding balances

• Access to your accounting software

Also ask how long onboarding normally takes and whether there is a separate fee for bringing historic records up to date.

12. What happens if I want to switch or leave?

Even if you expect a long relationship, check the exit terms before signing.

Ask about:

• Notice periods

• Final invoices

• Access to your accounting records

• Handover to a new accountant

• Professional clearance

• Outstanding Companies House or HMRC work

• Ownership of bookkeeping data

• Software cancellation and licence arrangements

Avoid contracts that make it unnecessarily difficult to leave or that are unclear about who owns your company’s records.

How to compare your shortlist

Once you have spoken to two or three firms, score each one against the same criteria:

Area	What to compare
Experience	Limited-company and sector knowledge
Scope	Services included and excluded
Price	Total annual cost, including VAT and software
Communication	Contact method, response times and reviews
Technology	Software access, security and MTD readiness
Advice	Tax planning and growth support
Flexibility	Onboarding, scaling and exit terms

The cheapest accountant may not offer the best value. A slightly higher fee could be worthwhile if it includes regular reviews, reliable bookkeeping, proactive planning and responsive support.

If you want to find an accountant uk businesses can speak to about their needs, start your search with Accountant Search. Accountant Search is a curated directory and digital matchmaking/referral platform. It is not an accountancy practice. We help businesses share their requirements and explore suitable introductions.

For more guidance on how to find an accountant for small business uk owners can trust, see our advice on online accountants and local firms.

Self-Assessment tick-box: Tick this box if you are a company director with personal income, dividends or other circumstances that may require a separate Self Assessment return. The company and the individual director have different responsibilities. If you need personal tax support, visit the Self-Assessment accountant page and complete the SA registration form.

Author: Richard Richard writes practical guidance for UK business owners comparing accounting support, tax services and digital finance options.